Berth for sleeping-cars.



P. J. OCALLAGHAN.

BERTH FOR SLEEPING CARS.

7 APPLICATION FILED FEB.5.1916- 1,224,669 Patent/ed May 1, 1917.

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P. J. OCALLAGHAN.

BERTH FOR SLEEPING CARS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1916.

Patented May 1,1917.

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PETER J. OCALLAGHAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BERTH FOR SLEEPING-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed February 5, 1916. Serial No. 76,369.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER J. OCALLA- GI-IAN, residing at and whose post-ofiice address is Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Berths for Sleeping-Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has reference to berths primarily adapted for use on sleeping cars.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings where Figure 1 is a side elevation of a section of a sleeping car with the upper berth in position for occupancy. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional "iew showing the car structure. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line lt, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the bed spring on which the lower berth is supported. Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the manner in which thisspring is stored and placed in position. Fig. 7 is a detail section showing the manner in which the frame of the upper berth is mounted. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail section showing the rollers which guide and support the upper berth. Fig. 10 is a section on line 1010, Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a section on line 11 11, Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen that my object is primarily to improve that type of berths which obviate the arrangement of the upper berth swung downward from its connection with the top or ceiling of the car. The well known upper berth of this character is not ventilated nor is it provid ed with any windows through which ventilation or light may be admitted. When not in use it extends diagonally across the top of the sleeping car and these upper berths materially lessen the area of the cars and thus render them objectionable for day travel, especially in warm weather.

By my invention the car is provided with upper windows 1 as well as the usual lower windows 2. Then the berths are not in use the structure constituting the base of the upper berth forms the support for the ordinary seats 3. I provide means for raising this bodily and in a vertical plane to the desired height intermediate the windows 1, 2. lVhen in their lowered positions the seats 3 rest upon a rail 4: which extends along the inner side and back of the seat and are supported at the outer side by the sills 5 at the front of each of the seat frames 6.

I provide for raising the seats 3 to the desired extent to constitute the support for the upper berth. This may be accomplished by a pair of spring actuated reels 7 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 from which are susrmnded chains 8 secured to the head and foot frames 9 which are movable with the seats 3. I employ a. spanning member or supporting bar 10, Figs. 1 and 3, for connecting the opposite seat members. A supporting rod 12 having flanged surfaces 13 at each end is adapted to engage a pair of spring catches 14 mounted in the car frame when the upper berth is in position.

After the upper berth has been raised into position the spring 15 and bed linen 16 may be withdrawn from a compartment 17 in the side of the car.

I have shown the frame of the upper berth provided with rollers 19, 20, 20 and 21. The rollers 19 and 20 travel on opposite sides of a vertical rail 22 and the chain 8, by which the berth is raised, is connected to the bracket on which the roller 19 is mounted. As shown in detail in Fig. 10, this bracket is secured to the frame 9 of the upper berth. On the upper end of this frame is shown the roller 2O which also travels upon the rail 22. The rollers 21 are mounted in the frame 6, as shown in Fig. 4, and bear against the frame 9. In this way when the frame 9 is raised it is prevented from. tipping by the rollers and also by the legs 23, shown in Fig. 4-, which extend down into the frame 6 for a considerable distance even after the frame is in its elevated position.

In Figs. 3 and 7 I have shown a lock 12 forming part of the supporting rod 12, by which this rod may be projected or retracted to engage, or move out of contact with, the latches 1a. In Figs. 3 and 5 I have shown rods 24 for the purpose of locking the bed spring 15 in place in the receptacle 17. By means of a lock 2st these rods are actuated.

In use, the operator simply raises the seat portion vertically, the'chains 8 being elevated on the spring actuated reels 7, and the frame 9 moving over its guiding rail 22 until the rod 12 engages the latches 14 when the key 12 maybe operated to securely hold the rod in engagement with the latches.

The upper berth is now in the same position relatively to the windows 1 as is the space for the lower berth in relation to the windows 2. The bed linen may be withdrawn from the compartment 17 and the curtains from the compartment 18.

In Figs. 1 and 4, I have shown the manner of arranging the curtains. l/Vhen the compartment 18 is drawn outward in the manner of a drawer it is substantially in line with the outer edge of the berths as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. This compartment carries a rod 25 on which is supported a pair of curtains 26. A second rod 27 is secured to the outer edges of the curtains 26 as at 28 and supports a second pair of curtains 29. All of these curtains may be stored in the compartment 18 and while they are all supported by the rod 25, yet the curtains 26 for the upper berth may be opened or closed independently of the curtains 29 of the lower berth.

I claim as my invention 1. In a berth for sleeping cars, the combination with a pair of seat members and a bar spanning said members, said bar having flanges at its extremities, of spring catches mounted in the car frame and adapted to be engaged by said bar, and means for projecting and retracting said bar lengthwise.

2. In a berth for sleeping cars, the combination with a seat frame having rollers and an upright rail, of a second frame adapted to be supported by said former frame when not in use, said second frame having rollers adapted to travel upon said rail and itself adapted to move in contact with said former rollers, and adapted to be raised to constitute an upper berth.

3. In a berth for sleeping cars, the combination with a frame adapted to be raised and lowered in a vertical plane and to constitute an upper berth when in its elevated position, said frame carrying a rod, and means for projecting and retracting said rod, of a catch spring adapted to engage and support said rod when said frame is elevated.

1. In a sleeping car, the combination with a berth having a seat frame, a compartment in the wall of said car adjacent said seat frame, and a second compartment in its top, of a second frame adapted to be seated in said former frame when not in use and capable of being raised in a vertical plane to constitute an upper berth.

5. In a sleeping car having upper and lower berths, a pair of curtains supported above said upper berth, and a second pair of curtains secured to said former pair near the lower ends thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

